Common Sense Media Review
By S. Jhoanna Robledo
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Entertaining sequel deals with mature topics.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Best Man Holiday
What's the Story?
From the outside, Harper (Taye Diggs) is living the good life. A baby with his wife Robin (Sanaa Lathan) is finally on the way, after years of trying. He's working on yet another book, and he's a professor at New York University. But then the book is suddenly a no-go, and so is the job, and almost overnight Harper feels like he can't show up at the reunion planned by his old flame Mia (Monica Calhoun) and her husband, NFL star and Harper's ex-best friend, Lance (Morris Chestnut). Luckily, other friends, like Julian (Harold Perrineau Jr.) and Quentin (Terrence Howard) will be there too. But so will Jordan (Nia Long), his best friend and almost-girlfriend. Besides, everyone seems to be dealing with their own problems.
Is It Any Good?
Director Malcom D. Lee has fashioned a fine, if gloomy, follow-up to The Best Man, assembling his fantastic cast, who once again exhibit great chemistry. That's essential for an ensemble movie like THE BEST MAN HOLIDAY, especially since it relies on bonds forged in the original to hook viewers once again. That's its genius, but also its challenge, because if you're not up to speed on everything that happened before, it's unclear if you'd be so committed to experiencing the roller-coaster emotions that this sequel elicits. The film does its mighty best to explain the intricate bonds up front, which unfortunately makes for a lumbering start. The best parts show the brotherhood and sisterhood shared.
Still the film trades on some tired gender stereotypes. And some issues seem manufactured just to exist. The Best Man Holiday is a forgettable vacation, but watching it still makes for a decent break.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how friendship is portrayed in the movie. What binds these friends together after all these years? Do the challenges to their friendships seem believable? What is the movie's message about friendship and marriage?
Does the movie break new ground when it comes to the ensemble movie genre? Does it rely on tired tropes? If so, which ones?
Movie Details
- In theaters : November 15, 2013
- On DVD or streaming : February 11, 2014
- Cast : Harold Perrineau , Morris Chestnut , Nia Long , Sanaa Lathan , Taye Diggs , Terrence Howard
- Director : Malcolm D. Lee
- Inclusion Information : Black Movie Director(s) , Black Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Universal Pictures
- Genre : Romance
- Topics : Holidays ( Christmas ) , School ( College & Graduate School ) , Family Stories , Sports ( Football ) , Friendship
- Run time : 122 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : language, sexual content and brief nudity
- Award : NAACP Image Award - NAACP Image Award Nominee
- Last updated : September 9, 2025
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